Marla

Chapter 14

Generations

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Marla and Kayla are copyrighted by Kittiara and used with her permission. Master David Wolf, Valentia, Todd, Mike, Sensei Tenchi. Zubin, other miscellaneous characters and this story are copyright 2010 by S.M. Wolf. This story may not be reproduced by any means in part or completely without prior written permission of the author. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Marla drifted in a near coma for the next three days. The drug- and nanobot-induced sleep helped her heal, but her slumber was troubled by dreams of Mike and his death. Still, the rest helped, and her body healed rapidly.

In fact her rate of healing concerned the doctors who feared the nanobots would heal her organs and tissues poorly or even kill Marla in their unrestrained rush to repair her broken and battered body. Very early on Tuesday morning while most furs slept Marla was wheeled down the hall and into an operating theater while she still slept. The team of nanobot specialists who had developed the military healing version waited for Marla. For several hours they scanned her unconscious body and examined samples of the modified nanobots while Kayla and Master David watched and waited.

"The Government has totally changed the design and actions of the nanobots," the hyena team leader reported. "Everything is geared to maximum rapidity of healing. The nanobots are taking in huge quantities of raw materials from not only what we supply but from the healthy portions of her body as well. If the wolfess had been more severely injured or the necessary fluids not been supplied immediately, the nanobots would have torn apart her body in their effort to fix it. Then they would have destroyed each other in an effort to find more material to repair the newly damaged sections of her body.

"I think we now know what happened to those we found earlier. They were given the nanobots, and their bodies literally imploded from them.

"This is a serious programming flaw. It should have been caught and corrected. Early. That it made it this far..."

The hyena's voice trailed off, and he shuddered in horror.

Master David asked, "Could it have been put into the nanobots design on purpose?"

The hyena's head whipped up.

"Never! It is against everything a healer stands for!"

"A healer? Yes. The Government and its torturers...?

"Forcing somefur to watch a loved one go through this and then threatening to do it to them or to others they love would be a highly effective means for breaking a fur. Add in the promise of saving the dying fur by altering the program to save rather than kill them and anything becomes possible."

Master David looked the hyena in the eye and asked the question that both he and Kayla had been dreading.

"What can you do for Marla?"

"Nothing."

Kayla sobbed and turned away.

"She does not need our help. The nanobots are approaching completion of her healing. It would actually be much more dangerous to interfere with them now. It could set off their destructive behavior. It is far better to just wait until they automatically shut down and leave her body naturally like dead cells. Based upon the samples we took, that should happen mid-morning. We have given the doctors instructions of what to watch for and how to cut back on her medication and anesthesia as the healing finishes."

"Will the repairs be good? Or will she have problems with her body for the rest of her life?"

"The repairs, while rapid, have been good. She should wake up in good health. Even less important things like her pelt are being repaired.

"It looks like the wolfess is going to be one of the lucky ones. She is going to survive, and she is even going to be completely healed."

Bothe Master David and Kayla silently wondered if Marla would consider herself lucky to be alive after the death of her mate, Mike.

"We will be available in case anything goes wrong," the hyena continued. "However, I doubt it will. She is a very strong fur, and the nanobots are still, at their core, Wolf Enterprise products. They are geared to heal, not hurt.

"I would plan for her to be awake around 10 AM."

The team collected its equipment and data. While they disappeared through the loading dock in unmarked vans Marla was wheeled back to her room.

"I have to go see Canaria Pack again," Master David told Kayla.

"I know," she replied.

"How are they taking things?"

"Badly," Master David replied. "The Government's actions to confiscate Mike's body as evidence and prevent them from taking him home are not helping. They are despondent, nearly suicidal, and likely to use some of their old skills to start killing Government furs.

"The only thing that is keeping them alive and not going on a rampage right now is Marla. Knowing that she is going to be okay and awake in a few hours will help.

Master David paused for a bit.

"I am going to make life uncomfortable for the President and some other Government furs this morning to try to get Mike back. I may not be here when Marla wakes, but let me know when she awakens, and I will come as soon as I can."

Master David left for Casa Canaria. Kayla sat down to gaze at Marla as she lay sleeping. She curled up into a tight brown ball of fur and watched the steady rise and fall of Marla's bosom. The otteress had not slept in days, but she was still unwilling to fall off until Marla woke.

It was shortly after nine o'clock when Marla's eyes slowly opened. She looked around half expecting to see the interrogation center and her tormentors again. After all, the hero only walked in to save the damsel in distress in cheap adventure novels. She was surprised to see a well-lit white ceiling above her.

"You're awake!" a pleasant and much loved voice said from Marla's left.

Marla had barely started to turn her head before Kayla planted a very sloppy, very heartfelt kiss on Marla's mouth.

Kayla wrapped her arms around Marla and hugged her. Marla felt wet, hot tears fall onto her pelt. She did not mind. She also felt tears streaming down the sides of her face and head as she wept in joy at seeing her pack mate again. Her arms slowly found their way out from underneath the thin bed sheets and worked their way around Kayla's neck and shoulders. Marla felt incredibly weak, but she was able to move at least. The two femfurs held each other for many minutes while each came to grips with the knowledge that the other was alive and, if not well in Marla's case, at least healing.

In a muffled voice Kayla said, "You woke up early. Everyone is out doing things."

Kayla let go of Marla for a moment and looked down at her pack mate as she lay on the bed. Marla was having trouble focusing on her beloved friend through her tears.

"I knew you would make it. You're tough and strong - a real survivor! Just look how you got through the Academy!

"But you had all of us very, very worried, especially me!"

Kayla hugged Marla again. Marla just returned her alpha's hug and basked in the warmth of her love.

"I see someone is finally awake," a deep male voice said.

Kayla let go of Marla and turned to Sensei Tenchi.

"Marla is doing just fine, Sensei," Kayla said in a tight voice. Marla could read the anger in Kayla's body language as she confronted the liger. In her befuddled state it took Marla a moment to realize that Kayla was taking umbrage with their teacher over the tacit implication that Marla should have been doing much better. Kayla must have been incredibly tired and sleep-deprived to turn a simple greeting into an insult.

Sensei Tenchi raised a paw and said, "I meant no disrespect or fault, Lady Kayla. I had meant to merely comment on the progress of your pack mate's recovery."

Kayla's shoulders slumped.

"I know, Tenchi," she said as she looked at the floor. "I am just on edge right now, and even a hint of criticism of Marla sets me off."

"That would explain Zubin's strange look and actions yesterday. It has been some time since I have seen him exit a room hastily with his tail between his legs.

"Perhaps it will teach him some prudence."

The liger silently crossed the room to Marla. Her eyes watered some more at seeing her Sensei again. She had never expected to do so, and it made her realize how special he and the rest were to her.

"For now, it is good to have you back with us, Lady Marla."

Marla was shocked when her Sensei wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. She could feel more tears dripping onto her body. She had never expected Sensei Tenchi to cry, much less cry over her. She could even feel sobs as he held her.

Eventually Sensei Tenchi let go of his bear hug. He still held her in his paws at arm's-length as he quietly said, "I once asked you if you were capable of sacrificing your life for Lady Kayla. I had hoped to never have you answer the question in real life. You did, though, and you made me proud."

Sensei Tenchi released Marla and took two steps back. He went to his knees and bowed until his forehead was resting on the floor.

"I am honored to call you my student, Lady Marla," Sensei Tenchi said in a very formal tone.

"Thank you for teaching me so well, Sensei Tenchi," Marla replied in the most formal tone she was capable of while lying on her back in a hospital bed recovering from multiple serious wounds.

Sensei Tenchi rose and took Marla's left paw.

"I do not know where our paths shall take us, but I will always be honored to fight beside you.

"I have to go now. Things are moving very fast at the moment. You and others have stirred up the proverbial hornets' nest, and the Government is having trouble containing the problems you have caused. I need to make sure that they do not succeed.

"I will see you again, hopefully soon."

Sensei Tenchi turned and left.

Marla turned her head to look at Kayla and asked, "What's happening? I have never seen Sensei in such a hurry, even if he is not showing it much."

Kayla tapped her right ear. It was a code to indicate that there might be eavesdroppers.

"The Government is still investigating the break-in at Valentia's studio. They have not found her or Todd yet."

Marla nodded her head slightly. She was certain that Kayla meant that the Ethiopian wolfess and fox had made their escape. She suspected it meant that they were either in deep hiding or more likely had left Elysium. Either way it would be some time before they saw the pair again. That thought made Marla sad briefly.

"Mike..."

Kayla's voice faltered, and she turned away briefly as she started to cry again. Marla felt tightness in her throat and tears welling up in her eyes as well at the mention of her mate.

"Mike's body and the bodies of the others have been held by the Government as 'evidence' in the investigation. Canaria Pack has not been able to bring him home, and the other families cannot claim their loved ones either."

Marla felt a flash of white-hot anger. She knew that the Government was holding her lover's remains out of pure spite.

"Master David has been seeking his return as well. After all the backdoor attempts failed he smashed in the front door, almost literally.

"Master David has been very busy today. He went public and took out after the Government full-force."

Marla gasped. It was a bold ploy by her alpha to bring home their pack mate. She just hoped it would not cost him his life. She could not afford to lose another pack mate.

"He was on several of the morning news shows castigating the President, the police and every other fur involved in the affair for not allowing him to bring Mike and the others home. I think he paid off the hosts because they were awfully sympathetic and even allowed Master David to get in several digs about your abduction as well. He still has several more appearances, or else he would be here now."

Marla nodded her head. There were so many questions she wanted to ask and things she wanted to say, but now was not the time.

"Canaria Pack has been in mourning. I think they wanted to go to the catacombs and seal themselves in after Mike's death."

Marla had learned about the catacombs under the old portion of the city. The Founders had buried their dead there after the colony was started. The descendents of the Founders still could be buried there. No doubt it was the only place Canaria Pack could afford to entomb their dead pack members now.

"Will- Will they take Mike there?" Marla asked in a faltering voice.

"It depends on several things, but probably yes," Kayla replied while touching the tip of her nose to signal that the line of questioning had to stop. Marla felt incredibly frustrated at not being able to find out more about Mike and Canaria Pack.

Kayla sensed the wolfess' frustration and added, "We can talk more about it with Master David when he takes us back to the penthouse."

Marla silently gave a short nod. She knew she had to wait, but it made it no easier.

Kayla sat down on the edge of the bed and took Marla's left paw. She stroked it gently.

"I never got a chance to thank you," Kayla said. "You almost certainly saved my life at the studio. Then you went through a hell that I was supposed to endure, not you. And you had all the rest of the bad things that happened to you."

Kayla left unsaid the loss of Mike, but Marla heard her friend's unspoken words.

"It's okay," Marla replied quietly.

"No, it is not," Kayla gently contradicted her friend.

"I got a penthouse. You got a coffle.

"I got a pampered sex slave life. You got whored out every day.

"I had everything. You had nothing.

"Now I should have been the one taken, but you were who they got. At the least I should have been there with you."

Marla was surprised when Kayla suddenly shouted angrily, "It is so damn unfair!"

Marla could see and hear her friend's frustration and anger at how their lives had diverged. Marla had never blamed Kayla or been jealous of her good fortune. She privately suspected that the intervening years between the sale at the Academy and the day they found her were not quite as perfect and carefree as the otteress pretended. She was certain that Kayla and Master David had done many dangerous things that placed their freedoms and even lives at risk.

"It's okay," Marla assured Kayla.

"No, it is not," Kayla stubbornly replied.

Marla thought for a moment.

"Master David once told me just after I had seduced Mike for the first time that it could just as easily have been me as you that ended up as his... sex slave. He was right. You could just as easily had my life. It was only the luck of the draw and how we were sold that determined where we went. Your days immediately after the sale were not exactly a rose garden either! The Academy was planning to wipe out your mind and personality and put a perfect little sex slave into your body."

Kayla made a negating gesture, but Marla continued.

"I don't hate you. I don't blame you for what happened. You managed to convince Master David to try to find and buy me. You got him to do so when you found me."

Marla wanted to say so much more, but she could not compromise the lie of Kayla and her being Master David's sex slaves.

"I cannot say that I enjoyed the coffle, but it did suit me. The brothel did as well. A single owner suited you better. We both survived and came back together with a Master who cared about both of us."

Kayla was crying again. She silently wept as Marla exonerated her for her good fortune and the things Marla had endured. After several minutes she managed to whisper, "Thank you, Marla. For everything. If there is ever anything I can do for you, just ask, and it is yours."

Marla felt the sincerity of Kayla's words and emotions. She nodded again. She knew Kayla wanted to say so much more as well. She could only damn the circumstances and pull Kayla into her arms again. The pair lay together wrapped in each others' arms and healing in their own ways. Kayla knew unequivocally that Marla held no grudge against her, and Marla knew the depths of the love of her alpha female.

It was late morning when Master David appeared. Marla was talking quietly with Kayla when he appeared. Marla's ears perked up when she saw him walk into the room. She frowned a bit. His ears and tail were down. This was uncharacteristic of her normally very confident alpha male.

Master David walked slowly to Marla's bed. He stopped beside her bed and said in a voice full of sorrow and pain, "Marla, I am sorry for everything you went through. It was entirely my fault that you were captured and tortured.

"Can you ever forgive me?" he asked in a voice that broke.

Marla had expected many things from her Master, but certainly not a plea for forgiveness!

"Master, you did nothing wrong!" Marla said emphatically. "It was all those- terrorists."

Marla cursed under her breath. She had nearly said what had actually happened including her rescue by Master David. No doubt any listening Government furs would find that information very valuable indeed!

"It was because of my miscalculations and failure to recognize the threats you faced that led to the death of four young male furs including Mike and your capture. I saw what you looked like when you arrived, and I read the medical reports.

Grimly Master David finished, "I know that you went through hell because I screwed up, and that is unforgivable."

Marla reached out and grabbed Master David's paws. She drew him forward until he was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"No fur could have predicted what happened. The 'terrorists' were out to get you at any cost."

Marla again cursed her inability to speak plainly when she needed to do so. She wanted to get back to the penthouse and its relative security soon!

"I was trained as a bodyguard. Not as well as Sensei, but well enough to know that it is virtually impossible to plan for these types of acts, only to react well to them.

"The attack was total overkill. It would have taken out a dozen furs and a couple of armored transports. The guard detachment never had a chance."

Marla felt her words catch in her throat as she admitted for the first time how badly Mike and the others had been outgunned. They had never stood a ghost of a chance. It was a classic ambush and kidnapping. Kill the guards as quickly as possible without giving them a chance to fight back and then capture the furs for ransom, torture or worse. Only the happenstance of Marla being still alive and able to close the door and send Kayla to safety had thwarted the plan.

Master David took Marla into his arms and looked deep into her eyes.

"You certainly acted far better than anyfur had a right to expect. You got Kayla out unharmed under the worst possible conditions.

"I just wish you had come with her. Losing you was... terrible."

Marla shuddered a bit at the intensity of emotion in Master David's voice. If there had ever been the slightest doubt about his feelings towards Kayla or Marla they were totally dispelled.

Marla looked a bit to her right. She could not quite meet Master David's eyes.

"If I had tried to save myself both of us would have been captured. I was not sure I wanted to escape anyway."

There was a moment of silence, and then Master David said, "Mike."

The mention of her lover's name was enough to send Marla into a paroxysm of crying. Master David held her tightly while she cried uncontrollably. His body and grasp comforted Marla. In a moment he was joined by Kayla. The pair held the wolfess while she sobbed for many, many minutes. Eventually her tears and sobs stopped.

"What... What happened to him?" Marla asked Master David. She could not bring herself to say "his body".

"He is still with the coroner, but we will be bringing him home to his pack later this afternoon. All the pressure I put on the Government this morning was having its effect. The President was getting so much bad publicity he personally called me and made a deal. If I stopped talking to the media he would have Mike released to Canaria Pack later today. Ditto for the other guards. They are all going home one last time."

Marla sniffed several times.

"Can I see him?" Marla asked.

"We will be at Mike's funeral," Master David said. "Mike's pack insisted that his mate be there when we bury him."

Marla pulled back a bit and asked, "They consider me his mate?"

For the first time since he had shown up Master David gave a smile. It was small, but there was just a hint of his normal positive self behind it.

"Oh, yes! Very much so. They are at least as sad for you as for Mike because you lost him so soon after finding him."

"Sad for me?" Marla said incredulously. She had never even met Mike's pack and they were sorry for her? She was having trouble comprehending a wolf pack that would give her such love without knowing her or having her as a member.

Master David nodded yes.

"They have lost more than their fair share of pack mates. They know how much it hurts. They know it is worse for you being so young.

"They are waiting for you to get better so they can comfort you and show you that you are not alone no matter how bad things seem."

Marla snuggled up against Master David and Kayla. She had known that she was not alone. She had her alphas. It was strangely comforting to know that she also had Mike's pack. They were nameless and faceless, but they still helped fill the huge void created by Mike's death.

"When will I see them?" Marla asked.

"Officially you are in serious condition. We have been circulating rumors that you are actually in critical condition and near death to try to throw off certain furs. We plan to sneak you out this evening and take you back to the penthouse. It is about as secure a location as we have that is nominally public. I am sure that the Government will find out about the move, so we will take you out on a gurney disguised as if you are near death. The cover story will be that we are taking you home to die."

Marla nodded. It made sense and would hopefully keep the thugs who wanted to kill them at bay for another day or two.

"When we go to the catacombs," Master David continued, "that cover will be blown, but we will just have to live with that and accept the problems that will follow. The Government likely knows you were given their special nanobots. They will no doubt figure out that between those and the doctors here that you made a truly remarkable recovery. I am not sure if they will discern your true relationship to Mike or not. I am pretty confident that they did not just heat us discuss it, but we cannot be certain."

"And when we get back to the penthouse?"

"We have certain obligations to meet, but I have to believe that the Government will be moving against me soon. We will stay in the penthouse for now while we do what we can to finish our opening gambit, but we will soon be leaving the penthouse, probably for good."

Marla was a bit stunned by the finality and emptiness in his voice. Her Master apparently had come to terms with losing just about everything in his fight against slavery on Elysium. She again wondered if she could have done the same if she was in his position.

In a way Marla was. She had already lost Mike, and now she had to gamble the lives of her remaining pack mates. It was not a vast industrial empire, but they meant at least as much to her as Wolf Enterprises meant to Master David and likely more because they were so close to her. She did not regret her decision. It had felt like she would never be able to live again after the loss of Mike, and if she lost Kayla or Master David she might be finally totally broken. Still, she more than most understood what was at stake. She did not want her sons and daughters to grow up to be sex toys of some wealthy fur who used them for his or her sadistic pleasure like she had been used.

The three furs stayed in the hospital room for the rest of the day. Marla was surprised that Master David did not leave to take care of his business, but he told her that he had already done most of what he could do before the Government acted. He still made some trips next door to confer with various furs that came and went or to take calls, but Marla and Kayla had him most of the time. Marla was particularly gratified and warmed by his presence and his obvious affection. She was surprised to feel a familiar, faint warmth in her loins for just a moment. She thought such desires had died with Mike. Perhaps there might still be something left in her life to love after all. She silently mused a bit about Master David and Todd. She did not reach any resolution, but she did realize that there were at least options still available to her for the future. That alone was incredibly important to keep her going for now.

Evening came. A medical team appeared with a gurney. They were accompanied by a make-up artist. The fishing cat femfur quickly and efficiently made Marla look like a zombie. The wolfess was actually shocked to see her body in the full length mirror. Her abused pelt had not yet fully been repaired. It aided the fishing cat in making her appear to have large open wounds oozing ichor and worse. The addition of various IVs, a ventilator and other medical devices added to the illusion of her dire health.

The team took Marla out through the covered loading dock. Marla lay motionless underneath the thin sheet covering her naked body. She wished she had a large caliber blaster or laser just in case, but it would have been obvious that she was armed, and the illusion would have been destroyed. She had to be content with watching Sensei Tenchi and Zubin riding shotgun in the ambulance with what had to be the largest military arms Marla had ever seen. She was not sure what they could do, but she suspected they could take out a building with a single shot.

Marla had to remain lying down the entire time, and she could not talk with anyone since it was too easy to pick-up conversations and even video from the ambulance remotely. Zubin at least let slip that Kayla and Master David were leading the ambulance through traffic so that Marla knew where her pack mates were. She was glad when they arrived at the apartment building's underground garage. A large, heavily armed contingent of Wolf Security guards met them. Marla, Kayla, Master David, Sensei Tenchi and Zubin were whisked into the elevator and up to the penthouse.

The elevator doors opened. Zubin and Sensei Tenchi exited quickly with weapons drawn. They were met by a contingent of Wolf Security guards in full body armor. Marla suddenly realized that she had never seen uniformed guards in the penthouse. It just underscored the changes that were occurring.

"Report," Sensei Tenchi ordered the leader of the guards. Zubin quickly disappeared into the penthouse to run his own security sweep.

"Several attempts have been made to breach our security, but there are no indications of success yet," the snow leopard in charge of the guards responded. "The exterior espionage countermeasures have deflected or destroyed most of the attempts to monitor the penthouse and other portions of the building. We rerouted a couple of the cruder attempts to Wolf Security. We are feeding them disinformation.

"We had three unauthorized attempts at physical entry to the penthouse. Two were news industry operatives. They were turned over to the police, and Wolf Enterprises is pressing charges. The third operative could not be identified. We have sent him to Wolf Security for holding."

"Good!" Zubin said as he returned. "I could use a challenge today."

Zubin turned to Master David and said, "The penthouse appears to be clean. I don't know how long we can keep it that way. It - and you - is a target with a huge bull's-eye on it. It is only a matter of time before someone gets through and finds or does something."

"I know," Master David replied, "but we need this place for another two weeks or so to maintain appearances. After that we will abandon it if needed. If the Government comes for us, we will leave sooner."

Marla heard a faint note of sadness in her alpha's voice. He obviously had some emotional attachment to his home, but at the same time he recognized the futility of trying to hold onto it when all the Government had to do was surround the building to capture him and any other furs of interest that were with him.

"For now, take the security forces downstairs. Use the empty apartments on the second floor to bivouac them and use the Security Office for our command center."

Sensei Tenchi shifted nervously.

"I would prefer to have guards here with you," the liger said.

"I know, but I have things that need to be completed, and guards - even the most discrete ones - would prevent me from accomplishing what needs to be done.

"Keep them close, but keep them out of the penthouse for now."

"Yes, sir," Sensei Tenchi responded. Marla was surprised that he gave in so easily, but she suspected that he knew that Master David had reached a decision that was no longer open for debate.

"Anything else?" Master David asked Zubin and Sensei Tenchi.

"Just one thing," Zubin replied.

The wolverine walked over to the gurney that held Marla. To her surprise he leaned over her and gave her a huge bear hug.

"You did damn fine, girl, and I was never happier in my life than when I saw Mister Wolf walking into the back of the transport with you even if you looked liked raw bloody hamburger," he said in a surprisingly gentle and emotion-filled voice.

Zubin stood back up and added in a much gruffer tone, "And don't ever go doing anything like that again!"

Marla smiled as Zubin quickly entered the elevator. She clearly heard him snuffle. He had to be close to tears. She doubted the ride down was going to be pleasant if any of the guards said anything about his emotional display. In fact, she thought that medical attention might be needed for most of the guards if they said or did anything.

Sensei Tenchi and the guards joined Zubin in the elevator. The doors closed and the three remaining members of the pack were left alone.

Marla started to get up. Master David and Kayla assisted her from the gurney.

"How do you feel?" Master David asked in a very concerned voice. All pretenses were gone from him. His face and body openly showed his concern for Marla's condition.

"Surprisingly well." Marla replied. In truth, other than some general weakness and sore muscles, the pain was mostly gone. The nanobots and healers had done their job amazingly well.

"Right now," Marla said as she held up what appeared to be a savaged right arm with open sores, "I want to get this make-up off before it gets all over the penthouse."

Master David and Kayla both laughed as they helped Marla upstairs to the master bedroom bath. They removed as much of Marla's make-up with paper towels as possible before they filled the whirlpool bath. The pair of alphas shucked their clothes and helped Marla into the tub. As she stood in the center they worked plenty of shampoo into her pelt and hair. They used soap on the fuzz covered areas where her pelt was still growing back in. It took the better part of an hour to get Marla completely cleaned up. By then it was starting to get fairly late.

Marla was surprised to find that she was quite hungry. Kayla disappeared downstairs while Master David meticulously completed cleaning and drying her body. When the pair of wolves went downstairs Kayla had a nice spread of sandwiches and other food waiting for them. Marla ate ravenously.

"Careful that you don't eat your paw, Marla," Master David gently chided Marla.

"You would think she is eating for an entire litter the way she is going at the food!" Kayla added with a grin.

That brought Marla up short. It was a casual remark made in jest, but it reminded her of her desire for Mike's cubs and Mike.

Marla went back to eating as quickly as possible to cover her sudden hurt, but her pack mates were quick to notice her pause and change in expression. Master David placed his paw on hers. Kayla said very quietly, "I am sorry I said that, Marla. We all miss him badly."

"I know," Marla said, "but it still hurts not to have him here and to know I will never see him, talk to him or make love to him again."

"I know," Master David said. "It took me years to get over the worst of my sadness and depression from my adoptive mother's death. I still frequently think of her.

"It is never easy, but time will start to heal the worst of the pain.

"Just keep him in your heart, love him forever, and cherish the time you had together. I know that he loved you immeasurably and that you gave his life meaning by fulfilling a wish he never expected to come true. He would want you to be happy."

"I know," Marla said as the tears began to well up, "but it is so damn hard and hurts so much!"

The wolfess collapsed into a fit of crying. Master David pulled her into his arms, and Kayla joined them and worked her arms around Marla as well. Her two alphas just held Marla as she wept. Strangely it helped far more than she expected. Their comfort and the ability to openly grieve for her dead mate let her release the emotions that she had held so tight during the interrogation and later at the clinic. It was cathartic to just sit there held between the two living furs she loved the most and grieve for the dead fur she loved the most.

Marla was completely drained emotionally and physically when her tears finally ended quite some time later, but she felt strangely better. The hurt was still there. As Master David said, she would carry it with her for many years and likely the rest of her life. The memories of her time with Mike would never leave her. That was enough to give her solace if not happiness. Unlike when her parents died, the loving furs holding onto her reminded her that she still had pack mates that loved her.

When she recovered Marla said, "Thank you. For everything."

"We will always be there for you so long as we are alive, Marla," Kayla quietly told the wolfess. Marla knew the truth of her words, and it helped.

The three finished their meal and retired to the master bedroom. Marla found herself sandwiched between Kayla and Master David. Their warm bodies were incredibly comforting as they lay there with just a couple of lights gently illuminating the room. Briefly Marla's mind turned to sex, but she realized none of them were even close to ready for that right now. As much as she loved Master David, she was not about to sully the memories of Mike by turning to another male even before he was buried even if it was their alpha.

"Master David?" Marla asked.

"Yes, Marla?"

"What is going to happen to Mike?"

Master David propped himself up on his elbow and looked down at Marla.

"We will discuss it with Mike's pack tomorrow, but I know that they plan to bury him the catacombs along with the rest of Canaria Pack's dead."

Marla was silent for a while. It made sense that his pack would bury Mike with their dead.

"Master David?" Marla asked again.

"Yes?"

"Do we know why the Government went after Valentia and Todd?"

Kayla responded, "They were targeted because of me."

Marla turned away from Master David to look at Kayla. The otteress was wearing a rather sour expression.

"You?"

"Yes, me."

Master David interjected, "Though actually it was my fault that Kayla was in that position."

Marla looked back to her alpha male and asked, "What do you mean?"

Kayla replied, "Master David has been using me as a courier for several years without my knowledge.

"My credit stick that I use so frequently at his insistence has a dual purpose. To most readers it is just a credit stick. You could have run diagnostics on it for days without finding anything unusual. If you had opened it you would have found a little bit larger than normal memory cache but nothing really out of the ordinary. If you had downloaded the extra memory you would have found a record of all my purchases. It would look like my Master was keeping a careful eye on my spending.

"However, when the credit stick is inserted into special readers it transfers not only funds but coded information. The information is sent through the readers in small packets to the central computers of the companies or other locations. The packets are put back together to provide our operatives with the information and instructions they need.

"If the packets were intercepted they appeared to be just some random transactions or maintenance traffic. Only the complete message with the code keys was decipherable."

Kayla shifted around a bit so she could look Marla in the eyes.

"Valentia was the head operative in the capital, and Todd was her lieutenant. The V&T Boutiques were setup to allow me and presumably others to communicate with them clandestinely. jonwI' and others helped them, but they were the main people working in the shadows locally. I don't know what they did, but I can guess. I am sure that the Government did not like it.

"I did not know what was happening until you were taken and they had tried to kidnap me."

"Why didn't you know?" Marla asked incredulously.

Master David replied, "You cannot tell a secret if you do not know it regardless of how much interrogation, torture and drugs they use on you.

Grimly the wolf added, "Unfortunately I think that what you went through was only a foreshadowing of what will happen to us if we are taken alive now. With open conflict imminent, I expect the Government to use its full resources to ensure that we provide the maximum amount of information possible if captured."

Marla wished she could feel surprised or shaken by her Master's assessment, but she knew it was the truth. The Government operatives were going to do terrible things to any fur that they captured from now on. It would likely be even worse than what had happened to Marla and the others captured in the past.

"Marla," Master David asked, "would you like to leave? You have already given so much and been through an incredible ordeal. I would understand if you wanted to get off planet and leave all of this behind."

Marla felt a sudden surge of anger.

"No!" Marla replied fervently. "I am not leaving you or Kayla! You are my alphas, my pack mates and my loved ones!"

"Okay, I understand. But the offer stands if you decide things are getting to be too much and you need to get out of the line of fire. If at any time you want out, just say the word, and I will do my utmost to get you safely away."

Marla knew she would never accept his offer.

Thinking of what had happened to her brought another question to Marla's mind.

"What happened to the furs who tortured me and their boss? And more importantly, what happened to my rescuers?"

Marla could see Kayla and Master David exchanging worried glances.

"It's okay. I would rather hear the bad news all at once. I know things did not go well. I just want to know the details," the wolfess assured her alphas. She already had surmised that all of her rescuers were dead. She just wanted the end of the story of brave furs that had come with Master David to rescue her.

"It is not all bad...," Master David said. He seemed to reach a conclusion. He got up and turned on a large LCD screen. Using the remote he scrolled through several menus and found a file.

"After we left our remaining furs fortified their position. It was not hard to do. The 'warehouse' had two foot thick walls and plenty of booby traps and security devices. It was meant to withstand a full frontal assault if needed. Our furs added things like anti-personnel and anti-armor mines.

"While most were doing that the four Security furs were being interrogated. I am sure that they were tortured at least as severely as you, probably worse. I am not thrilled about it, but it was effective.

"A third group worked to establish a link to the Internet through land lines. They also setup a satellite dish for an uplink to a geostationary communications satellite that happened to be owned by the Elysium's largest media company. All of the most popular media channels go through that satellite."

Master David grinned toothily.

"It just happened to be supplied by a subsidiary of Wolf Enterprises."

Marla had to grin as she guessed that the satellite security was easily bypassed when desired.

"It was Sunday when we saw the results of their work."

Master David pressed a button on the remote, and the screen sprang to life. Marla gasped. The head of Elysium's Security Forces was displayed in a tight shot of his face and neck. He appeared to be in good health, but Marla could hear the pain and weariness in his voice when he spoke. She recognized it from many extended painful BDSM sessions. He had been abused badly. She suspected that the rest of his body was in very bad condition.

Or perhaps not, Marla mused. A few hours with the pain inducer would cause incredible mental and emotional pain yet not do much physical damage. It was one of the advantages of the instrument. Perhaps now the head of Elysium's Security Forces appreciated that firsthand.

Marla turned her attention to the bear's words.

"I am Minister Noah Bruin. I am the director of Homeland Security Special Forces. I am personally responsible for the kidnapping and interrogation of thousands of furs over the past five years. I ordered the formation of a system of secret centers for the interrogation of these furs using torture and other extreme measured. I also have personally participated in the rape, torture and murder of hundreds of furs deemed dangerous to the Government on my own initiative and at the order of members of the Government including the President. They have included children, abolitionists, reporters, and others.

"I have also used my position to further the goals of any industrialist who was willing to pay me enough. At their orders I have placed many 'problem furs' into the Elysium slave system or caused them to disappear permanently. These include but were not limited to competitors, union activists, journalists and competitors.

"I have also engaged in actively finding and providing teenagers and other young furs to Government run sex slave training facilities. I have ensured that these facilities provide Government leaders with a sex harem of whatever they desire.

"I have also ensured that all activities at these facilities by freefurs using the slaves are recorded for use in blackmail and other activities to silence critics of Government policies.

"Among those I have personally captured, tortured and killed are Jamail Roeder, flogged to death.

"Gina Coati, raped and tortured to death.

"Adam Buck, tortured using a pain inducer and sold into slavery."

The role call continued for some time. Marla was amazed both by the sheer number and how many names and details her rescuers had managed to get out of the bear.

After a couple of minutes, Master David stopped the program.

"It goes on for quite some time, and Captain Canadensis and the others added a long list of names and fates to the good Director's as well," The black wolf said. "You will probably be very happy to know that the lynx was not looking well when we last saw him."

"I would have liked some time alone with him," Marla growled.

After a short pause while Marla mentally contemplated biting off the lynx's balls and other pleasurable payback for her torture, Marla commented "I am surprised that the Government allowed this to get out."

"The satellite feed was cut after less than five minutes by an Elysium Navy corvette destroying the satellite. The order to do so came directly from the Presidential Palace and carried the President's personal authorization code."

Marla gasped. That was a rather extreme reaction even from the Government.

"So how did you get all this information?" Marla asked.

"Our furs knew the Government would stop the broadcast. They just wanted to use that to get the news out that there was something seriously wrong. The broadcast and the response of the Government immediately got the notice of everyfur on Elysium and even beyond. Suddenly everyone was talking about it and looking for more information.

"Our furs used their land line connections to upload the entire confessions to the Internet on multiple servers throughout Elysium including FurTube and other popular sites even before starting the broadcast. They immediately went viral and were copied millions of times. The Government tried hard to shut down everything, but the Internet was designed to survive a nuclear planetary bombardment. They would shut off one server or trunk line, but another half dozen would take over. It was a losing effort from the start that only added to the negative perceptions of the Government.

"They also uploaded other things as well. Apparently Homeland Security Special Forces videoed every interrogation at that facility and probably the others. Our furs uploaded the ones they found on-site. Your torture was not in the videos, so I have to assume they wanted to prevent knowledge of my involvement becoming commonly known.

"All told we now know the fate of several thousand furs including Tenchi's parents."

Marla sat up and looked at Master David hopefully.

"They were captured and sold into slavery by the Government. They were not even interrogated though they were apparently roughed up pretty good during their capture. It seems that they were felt to just be hired guards with no useful information. I probably was barely on the Government's radar screen back then, so they did not realize the importance of them.

"They have been tracked down off-world. I have sent operatives to purchase them if possible and free them by any means required if that is not possible. Depending on their inclinations, they may return to Elysium to join Tenchi and me."

"And Sensei Tenchi?" Marla asked with just a hint of trepidation. She wanted the huge liger near now that the Government was acting openly against her Master.

"I offered to let him go, but he said his place was here with his Lord. He has made the commitment to remain with me even when we go underground. Hopefully his parents will be with us, but he realizes he may never see them again if they do not reach us.

Master David smiled.

"Knowing my old friends I have no doubt that they will return and come looking for us. I doubt that it will take them long to find and join us."

Marla shifted a little bit. She was happy that Sensei Tenchi's parents had been found, but she was also glad that he had not decided to go off=planet to rescue them. She wanted the big liger nearby once the shooting started in earnest, and that could be at any moment.

"And our furs in the warehouse?" Marla asked.

Master David turned away and shut off the video. There was silence for many seconds. Marla knew that the news could not be good.

"The Government was able to trace the signal pretty easily. Our people wanted them to come to the warehouse, so they made little real attempt to hide or confuse the signal. The Government also probably knew where Minister Noah Bruin went though he might have hid his whereabouts given what was happening.

"Regardless, it was less than a half hour before the Security Forces and policefurs cordoned off several dozen square blocks. We estimate somewhere around two thousands Government furs participated in the siege and assault.

"The bad news is they appear to have all been killed. We never had any of them make it into the sewers, and fire coming from the warehouse was consistent with the defenders being killed one by one. We still have furs at the rendezvous points, but we had to pull everyone out of the sewers before the Government forces found them."

Master David took a very deep breath and let out a huge sigh.

"The good news is they may have done more to damage the Government than all the rest of my work put together. Suddenly a lot of missing furs are known to have been abducted and tortured by the Government. Others were put into slavery. Many average furs who never thought about what was happening now are being forced to confront the reality we have known for some time.

"It is making them very uncomfortable. They want answers, and they want them now.

"Fortunately for us, the Government is refusing to give them any. That is fueling suspicion and resentment against the Government. Add the things that have happened to me in the past week or so, and suddenly there are a lot of scared furs on the streets. They are jumpy and getting nasty.

"I think that the Government has badly miscalculated, and I think that we are going to see open revolt sooner rather than later even if this incident does not tip the balance."

Marla lay back and digested her Master's words. Open revolt meant that he and Kayla soon would be targets for the Government. Marla would have her paws full protecting them.

Master David said in a sad voice, "For now we lick our wounds, mourn our dead, and prepare for the inevitable."

Silence reigned in the room for some time.

"We do have one more pleasant thing to tell you this evening," Kayla said softly.

Marla pulled her mind out of her memories of Mike.

Kayla smiled and leaned in close to Marla's face.

"You get to meet Mike's pack tomorrow. They are very keen to see the femfur who won Mike's heart."

"Even after he died?" Marla asked. He voice cracked on the last word.

"Especially after Mike died," Master David confirmed. "You are the last living link they have to him, and you are incredibly precious to them."

The three furs talked for a little while longer, but Marla soon drifted off to sleep. Nanobots, drugs and other modern miracles of medical science might have saved her life and mostly healed her body, but the abuse had been too great for even them to heal everything in such a short period of time. She needed rest, and her body would not be denied.

The next morning dawned brightly. Marla was the last to awaken. Kayla and Master David were already gone from the bed when Marla finally opened her eyes. She stretched and yawned. She was surprised to find that even the lingering stiffness was mostly gone. She stood and went to the bathroom. After taking care of her needs and washing she felt surprisingly ready to take on the day.

Kayla provided a generous breakfast for the wolfess. She sat with Marla as she ate to keep her company. They talked of little things. Mainly Marla wanted to be near her pack mate and beloved friend. Master David was nearby in the office keeping up appearances and doing his best to covertly and overtly hurt the Government. He stopped to chat with Marla several times throughout the morning.

Around ten Marla went upstairs to dress. She selected some simple clothes from her wardrobe that Mike had loved. She smiled as she ran her paws over her blouse to smooth it. The cut of the blouse and her bra showed a nice amount of cleavage for such a demure piece of clothing. Even before they had joined she had caught him frequently watching her as she walked by. His eyes had invariable gravitated to her breasts just as she had intended. Just putting on the clothes reminded her of the fun she had with him for the few brief months that she had known her mate.

Today she buttoned up the blouse a little bit more. She was meeting her mate's pack, not seducing a randy young male.

A few minutes later Kayla appeared beside Marla as she stared at herself in the mirror. The otteress gave her a quick hug and a peck on the cheek.

"Mike loved that outfit," Kayla commented.

"I know," Marla replied. "I was thinking about him and how I used it to tease him when I put it on."

"Good memories?" Kayla asked. There was a hint of anxiety in her voice.

"Good thoughts," Marla replied. "I'm going to miss him badly, but I want to remember how good he was while he was here with me."

Kayla gave Marla another hug.

"I know what you mean.

"For now, let's go downstairs."

Kayla led the way downstairs. Master David waited at the entrance to the living room. He smiled and beckoned the two femfurs closer when he saw them exit the stairwell. Marla walked forward. Her attention was so centered on him that she was almost to the living room before she realized that they were no longer alone in the penthouse.

Sitting around the center of the living room were a dozen wolves. They were older than just about any wolf Marla had ever seen. Their pelts were pure white with age. They moved with a slow deliberateness brought on by their years as they talked.

One by one each of the strange wolves stopped talking as they became aware of Marla's presence. Stiffly they stood to face her. For a moment Marla irrationally wanted to flee back upstairs rather than face the Canaria Pack. She knew that she could never live up to their expectations.

Sensing her emotions, both Master David and Kayla took one of Marla's paws. Together they led her to the waiting pack.

Her waiting pack.

Marla and her other pack mates stood in front of the remaining members of Canaria Pack. Master David and Kayla both wrapped an arm around Marla's shoulders. Her emotions calmed with their loving touch, and she looked at the wolves who had raised Mike and loved him or so many years before she even knew him.

They were old, but they still had much life in their eyes. She was surprised to see so many warm smiles directed at her. She felt a calmness coming over her even as the strange wolves came to greet her.

"She's beautiful!" a male voice from somewhere near the back of the pack whispered loud enough for Marla to hear.

"Of course she is! Mike always had great tastes," a female voice replied.

There were several snickers from the members of Canaria Pack. Marla was surprised that they could joke at a time like this. Still, there were honest grins on their muzzles as they looked at her.

A male stepped forward. He had an air of command and respect much like Master David. He moved with slow, stately grace, but there was still something left that told Marla immediately that this was once a wolf who once demanded immediate attention just by his presence. No doubt he was the alpha male of Canaria Pack.

"Good morning, Marla," the elderly male said as he advanced. Both Master David and Kayla gave Marla a small push forward. She took two steps forward to meet the strange wolf.

The older wolf took her paws in his. There was a huge grin on his face.

"My name is Hugo. I am the alpha male of Canaria Pack."

"I- I'm honored to meet you, sir," Marla managed to stammer back.

A female pushed Hugo aside.

"He's such a stickler for formality!" the female wolf said in an exasperated voice. She grabbed Marla's paws form Hugo and pulled her towards the couch.

"I'm Jennifer, his mate. And yes, I am the alpha female. But don't worry about it because it really does not matter."

Jennifer turned to look Marla directly in the eyes.

"All that does matters now is you are here, alive, and surprisingly well. After what happened, I never expected that to happen."

Jennifer hugged Marla.

"It is good to finally meet you, Daughter."

Marla felt a sudden large lump in her throat.

The other wolves gathered around the two femfurs. They reached out to stroke Marla's fur. It seemed that they needed to touch her and affirm her existence. Their eyes glistened as they beheld the last link to their beloved son.

Jennifer let go of Marla.

"Let me introduce you to the others," she said. She pulled Marla to the end of the rough line of wolves and started the introduction.

"This is Harry, the lecher who made the comments about your looks."

"Like you weren't thinking the same!" Harry said as he pulled Marla close and squeezed her body tight against his. She expected a perfunctory hug, but he held her for several seconds. His tone was light, but she could feel him shaking. It took a few moments for her to realize that he was silently crying.

Jennifer continued the introductions. Each member of Canaria Pack hugged Marla. Most kissed her. They were so glad to see her that it was a palpable feeling in the air. Their love warmed her heart. She found herself returning their love with a love of her own that grew with each passing moment.

Jennifer hesitated for just a moment at the last wolf. She was an elderly female. She seemed incredibly sad as she looked at Marla.

"This," Jennifer said quietly," is Michelle. She was - is! - Mike's mother."

Marla instantly understood the older wolf's sorrow. She had shared it often in the previous days.

Marla leaned forward and hugged the older wolfess.

"I'm sorry I could not bring him home alive, Mother," Marla said before she broke down in uncontrollable tears again.

The other wolfess nearly collapsed in Marla's arms. She started bawling her eyes out and wailing uncontrollably. Jennifer and Hugo were assisted by Kayla and Master David in getting the pair of wolves over to the sofa and sitting down. Marla just held on to Michelle and comforted her as best she could.

Jennifer whispered into Marla's left ear, "Just let her go. She has been holding everything in since we got the news."

Marla nodded before turning her attention back to Mike's mother. She was in little better shape than Michelle, but she still tried to comfort this wolfess. Mike would have wanted her to do so, and Marla was naturally caring anyway. She held the frail wolfess gently and spoke soothingly into her ear as she cried.

It was some time before Michelle finally stopped sobbing. She tried to break Marla's embrace, but the younger wolfess was having none of that. She held the elder wolf close beside her and would not let go. Michelle squirmed a bit trying to get away, but she stopped after a moment when she realized Marla was not going to let her get away. Instead she gave in to the inevitable and wrapped an arm around Marla's waist.

"I'm just glad you made it back alive," Michelle whispered to Marla. "I didn't want to lose both of my last pups."

The two femfurs just held each other for a few minutes while the others watched. The others had been especially concerned about Michelle and the trauma she had gone through losing Mike. All had felt his loss keenly, but as a mother hers was the sharpest cut. They had hoped that brining Michelle to see Marla would help her begin to heal.

Eventually Michelle looked Marla in the eyes and asked, "How are you?"

"Very well, actually. The doctors did miracles," Marla replied.

'Don't lie to your mother! I know what those Government thugs can do," Michelle replied with some heat.

"No, I really am well."

For a moment Marla's exhibitionist nature returned. She shot a sideways glance at Harry.

"Want me to take my clothes off and show you? I'm sure Uncle harry would still love that."

That set the pack off laughing. It also broke the somber mood that had been growing as Marla had hoped it would.

Marla looked back at Michelle and said, "Seriously, just ask Master David. I was hurt. I was healed. Now I am well on the road to recovery. I'm still a bit stiff and tired, but overall I feel good."

Marla leaned in and gave Michelle a quick kiss. The older wolfess seemed surprised.

"I thank you for asking," Marla added, "and I am warmed by your concern when your loss is even greater than mine."

"I still have my daughter," Michelle said. "You..."

Michelle could not finish her sentence.

"I still have my pack," Marla replied a bit fiercely. "Master David, Kayla, the others. I spent the past several days mourning Mike and wondering if I could go on. I came to realize that as much as I love Mike and want him here, there are still others alive who love me, want me, and are here for me."

Marla turned rather tentative. She was moved by Canaria Pack's display of affection, but she also remembered her own pack and the changes that happened when her parents died.

"I hope that includes you. I was presumptuous to call you 'Mother'. It just slipped out when I saw you and learned who you were."

Hugo replied for all of Canaria Pack when he said, "We all love you, Marla, and we are here for you as your pack if you need us."

Jennifer slid in beside Marla. She took the young wolfess on her arms again. She said nothing, but her look and grasp spoke volumes. Marla was a member of Canaria Pack in her eyes and the eyes of the rest, and that was all that mattered to them.

Hugo made a move to displace Michelle. She actually growled at him. He just shrugged and sat beside Michelle on the side opposite Marla. With all four of them on the couch things were rather tight, but Marla found herself enjoying the press of warm, loving bodies against her.

"You really are lovely," Michelle said. "When Mike first mentioned you I could hear the catch in his breath every time he said your name. I don't think he realized that he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. It was obvious to everyone else that he was in love with you.

"He told us who you were, and we were worried about him being involved with you. I went to Wolf Enterprises to see David and warn him off. That was a few weeks after you came here. He just said to let things develop as they would, and that he was sure you and Mike would do fine together."

Marla's head snapped around to look at her Master. She glared at him for a moment, and he just grinned back at her. He had never told Marla about this meeting or his knowledge of the young lovers' growing attachment to each other way back then.

"It took us some time to find out why he came home totally dejected one day and bouncing off the walls with happiness the next day. Eventually we cornered him and get him to tell us what happened."

Michelle stared at Marla very intently, but she had an incredulous look on her face.

"Did you really pop out of the elevator naked?"

Marla had to giggle a bit at Michelle's tone. There was a hint of reproval, but mostly approval and wonder.

"Actually I was wearing a robe. I opened it up and invited him upstairs for some fun."

"And did David catch you?"

"Well," Marla drawled as she looked over at Master David, "he actually caught Mike when I threw him right into his arms. It happened like this..."

Canaria Pack listened intently as Marla recounted the events of that first afternoon together and how they had been discovered. They roared with laughter at the young lover's consternation when a stark naked Mike was tossed into David's arms. She glossed over some of the events, but she let them know that she had shown Mike considerable appreciation for his devotion to his pack and her pack mates. They seemed to appreciate it even if they were a bit surprised by her methods.

When she was done telling her story Hugo took up with another from Mike's youth. It was a hilarious tale about how he had tried to hide a pet in his room and how it had gotten loose in the house. While he was desperately trying to keep its presence hidden from the rest of the pack they had fed and cared for it until eventually Mike had confessed what had happened.

Hugo's story led to others as each fur remembered a bit about Mike and shared that memory with the others. It took some time for Marla to realize that the meeting with Mike's pack had turned into his wake. She was not saddened by the knowledge. She was listening to others who loved him as much as her and hearing the memories of a life well lived if lived too little.

The impromptu wake continued for hours. Around noon Kayla led the femfurs out into the kitchen where they prepared a feast. Marla was surprised to find herself laughing and joking with the others. Now away from the males they asked some pointed questions about her times in bed with Mike. After a quick glance at Kayla for her approval, she gave them all the juicy secrets. Even Michelle laughed and grinned as she described her sexual adventures with Mike, even the time she pawcuffed him.

Marla kept a close eye on Michelle. She was the mother of her lover, and she owed her much. She had obviously been badly off when Canaria Pack arrived at the penthouse, but Marla could read the signs. She was coming to grips with the death of Mike much as Marla had. It was hard, and it would take some time for the worst of the pain to dull, but Marla thought Michelle would be okay. That made the wolfess very happy. She already felt a special mother-daughter bond with this wolfess.

At lunch Marla pulled Michelle to the seat beside her. She was not going to let her leave Marla's side until she had to let her go. There was a brief exchange between Master David and Hugo as each insisted that the other take the head seat. They finally compromised with Master David at his normal spot between Kayla and Marla and Hugo at the other end.

The somber yet strangely happy revelry continued for some time as they ate. Marla and the others recalled how much Mike had liked one dish or another. While all were sad for the young wolf's passing, they knew that he remained in their hearts and would never truly be gone from their lives.

After the final bit of dessert was eaten and the last of the dishes cleared, Master David rose. He went to the cupboard and pulled out a bottle of wine. It was covered with dust. Carefully he wiped the neck and cork clean. He motioned Kayla to set out wine glasses as he very carefully opened the wine. Marla and the others could smell the amazing bouquet of the wine. It reminded her of lush gardens, sunshine and so much more.

Master David poured out a two finger-width tall serving into each glass as he emptied the bottle. Kayla took each glass and quietly gave it to each of the seated furs before finally taking hers and sitting down again.

Master David took his glass and stood at the head of the table. The other furs watched him intently.

"We all loved Mike," the black wolf said solemnly. "He was our son, our brother, and, for some, our lover. He was and is Marla's mate.

Marla had to wipe away the tears that had reappeared in her eyes. Michelle found her paw and held it.

"He brought great happiness to our lives. He left our lives too soon. He will never be forgotten, and he will always be loved."

Master David lifted his glass.

"To our fallen pack mate. May we meet him again someday."

The other furs lifted their glasses before slowly drinking down the wine in silence. The mood was not unhappy. Rather it was reflective as each said a last goodbye to Mike.

Canaria Pack remained in the penthouse for several more hours. Marla was happy to have the opportunity to talk with each. They were amazing in their life experiences and insights. She came to understand so much more about Mike from their conversations.

There was one conversation that was difficult for Marla. Several of the females were clustered around Marla. While the males talked elsewhere, Michele asked a question that was close to her heart.

"Marla, you said that you had sex with Mike."

"Yes," Marla replied.

"Did you use protection?"

Marla frowned. She wondered where this conversation was going.

"No, we did not."

Marla," Michelle asked in a sudden rush of words, "could you be pregnant with Mike's cub?"

Marla closed her eyes for a moment. She knew that her answer would hurt Michelle.

"I wanted Mike's cubs, but I am infertile unless the Academy nanobots are ordered to make me ready for breeding. It prevents unwanted pregnancies and the loss of a valued sex slave's services.

"I honestly wish I had asked Master David to let me breed, but I did not because I thought we had more time. We wanted to do it properly with a courtship and marriage before the cubs started coming.

"If I had known...." Marla's voice trailed off.

Michelle was crying, but she took Marla into her arms again.

"I understand. I thought he would live forever. I had to ask, though. It was my last hope that some of him might continue to love through you."

Michelle said no more, but Marla was saddened at the look of sorrow on the wolfess' face. She wished that there was some way to help, but circumstances would not allow her the opportunity to do so today.

Late in the afternoon the furs gravitated back to the central seating arrangement in the living room. The sun was still well up in the sky, but their thoughts were turning to tonight and beyond.

"Will you be a pallbearer for Mike, David?" Hugo asked.

"I would be honored to carry Mike to the catacombs."

"We will need others...," Hugo mused.

"Tenchi and Zubin will help as well."

"Then five of us can take the other spots. That should be enough."

Hugo turned to Marla and asked, "Will you come with us? Not as Mike's friend, or even as his lover, but as his mate?"

"Yes," Marla replied. She knew that Canaria Pack held her to be Mike's mate even if there had been no formal ceremony. She felt it was a great honor to accompany them into the catacombs.

"And after the ceremony, what do you intend to do, Hugo?" Master David asked.

Marla's ears perked up. There was an undertone to his question. She was not sure what was up, but she sensed suddenly that something important was happening.

"Well, we have a few ideas," Hugo replied noncommittally.

"And do they include some sudden deaths among Government officials?"

"Perhaps."

"You know it won't do much good."

"It is our choice. We are old and have little left to live for. Revenge will at least give our deaths meaning, and we may well save some furs on our side."

Master David paused a second before he asked, "What if you had other options?"

Marla watched the members of Canaria Pack. Their ears had picked up, and they were listening intently to Master David.

"Such as?" Jennifer asked.

"I believe that you have some experience with... covert operations?"

Hugo laughed and said, "I guess you could call it that. I suspect it is more like what we suspect you are doing."

Master David laughed and replied, "Possibly.

"But it does point out that we have some common experiences as well as common goals. I need your help to realize those goals."

"I would prefer revenge for the loss of our youngest pack member," Hugo replied flatly.

Silently Marla agreed with him. There was a sniper alive somewhere that she wanted to meet in a dark alley.

"If you attack on your own, you likely would do some harm and kill some furs. Satisfying, perhaps, but also suicidal for you."

"As Hugo said, it is our choice. We have no other great reason to live now." Jennifer replied.

"Not even Marla?"

That brought the elderly wolfess up short.

"Okay, you have us there," Hugo admitted, "but what can we do? Marla will be following you in your pack, not ours."

"What if I were to offer you the opportunity to train new operative's off-world for the express purpose of returning to Elysium to sabotage Government facilities and kill Homeplanet Security operatives responsible for running the interrogation facilities?"

There was silence for several seconds.

"You have our attention," Hugo said quietly.

"I have setup certain training facilities on planets that either are sympathetic to our goals or where governments could be bought. I have plenty of qualified volunteers that will not arouse Government suspicions. I can provide you with facilities, funding and furs. You provide the training for them, and they carry out what you want to do but do hundredfold or more damage than you could ever hope to accomplish."

That certainly got Canaria Pack's attention. They huddled together to discuss the proposal. Their discussion was heated at times, but Marla was not surprised when they returned and accepted Master David's offer. They were enraged over the death of Mike, but they were not irrational. They realized that they could do more damage to the Government of Elysium this way. That satisfied their lust for revenge more than whatever they could do alone.

"So how do we go about this?"

"You know secret ways out of the catacombs," Master David said. It was a statement rather than a question.

"Yes," Hugo replied.

"Your desire to die after the loss of Mike is well known. We use that. You go into the catacombs and never come back out. Instead you wall off that section of the catacombs and wait to die as far as the public knows. In reality you go out the proverbial back door and head off planet before the Government catches up to you," Master David said.

"Simple yet effective misdirection," Jennifer commented.

"And it also allows you to pick up Marla and Kayla and take them with you to safety."

Silence filled the penthouse at Master David's final words.

" What?!" Kayla screamed at Master David. The otteress was incensed. Marla felt much the same way. She rose and took a step towards her Master. There was blood in her eyes as she glared at him.

"I will not leave you!" Kayla said heatedly.

Marla moved to stand just behind Kayla on her left.

"Neither will I!" Marla said defiantly.

Master David stood and faced the two angry femfurs. He pulled them into his arms and hugged them tightly.

"Kayla. Marla. I love you.

"The Government is getting ready to move against me. I am not unprepared for that. I knew that Mike, Valentia and Todd as freefurs were likely targets of the Government when their close ties to me became obvious. They had escape plans and ways to disappear when the time came. Unfortunately Mike never had the chance.

"I did not anticipate the Government moving against you. As much as I love you, to them you are nothing but property. To them you represent value when you are sold after I am captured, convicted and executed. There are many within the upper echelons of the Government who would like to have you as their sex slaves and to abuse you in retribution against me. I had been counting on that to protect you.

"Now the Government is gunning for you. They wanted to kill Marla as well as Mike. They would have killed Kayla after capturing and torturing her if their plans had not been disrupted by you, Marla.

"I don't want to lose either of you. I may not show it as much as you, but I grieve deeply at the loss of Mike, and I was never so happy as when I walked out of that damn warehouse with Marla even though I knew I left some fine furs inside to die.

"I don't want to go through that again.

"And as a practical matter, I also cannot allow the Government the opportunity to be able to control me through you. The best thing to do is to send you away to safety while I remain here to fight the coming battles."

"I am not leaving you," Kayla determinedly replied. She stood ramrod straight and did not unbend even in her mate's embrace.

"I have been through my fair share of deadly encounters. I have killed to protect you and those I love. I will not allow you to send me away."

Marla nodded her head up and down. She totally agreed with Kayla. She was not going anywhere without her Master and alpha male.

"I cannot leave Elysium," Master David said. "I have started this fight, and hundreds if not thousands of our people depend upon me being here. I cannot leave, but you can and must. With you gone there is little that the Government can do to hurt me or control me through others."

"No," Kayla replied flatly. Neither the otteress nor the wolfess were being swayed by their Master's pleas.

"Kayla. Marla. Please be reasonable. You have so much to live for even without me. We do not speak of it, but you are both much younger than me. You can have cubs with Todd when you rejoin him or you can find another mate if I do not make it."

"The only male I want to sire my pups is you!" Kayla replied hotly.

Master David fell silent. Canaria Pack watched the drama unfolding before them. They had seen similar arguments in the past among members of their own pack as they tried to protect those they loved. More than a few of their later cubs had been sent away for the same reasons.

Kayla said, "I do not want to leave you. Elysium is my home as well. I want to fight for the freedom for the slaves as much as you. I know you have been through the humiliation of being forced to obey some slob as they violate your body, mind and very soul. But that was a long time ago. You have grown rich and well respected. You hobnob with the rich, famous and influential. You never forgot your childhood, but it is distant from where you are today.

"Marla and I were taken and brutally forced into sexual slavery by a Government that valued us only as a raw resource, not as living furs. Our suffering has barely begun to heal, and the only reason it has even started to do so is because of you.

"I will not go quietly into the darkness and leave you to fight my fight!"

Marla silently nodded her approval of her friend's words. She kept her silence, but she agreed with everything Kayla had said. She did not want to leave her pack mates, and she had a score of her own to settle with the Government for what it had done to her, her friends and mostly Mike.

"I cannot let you stay as much as I want you beside me every second of every day," Master David told the two femfurs. There was quiet, cool determination in his voice that matched Kayla's fire.

Kayla pushed backwards but did not leave Master David's embrace. She sighed in resignation. She realized that Master David was truly adamant that they leave for their own safety, and unfortunately his arguments for their leaving were sound.

"We won't be able to stop you from sending us away eventually, will we?" she asked for both of the females. There was a hint of defeat in her voice, but mainly there was love of her mate.

"No," Master David said with quiet determination.

Kayla laid her head against the right side of Master David's chest. She closed her eyes and sighed again.

"I want your cub," Kayla quietly informed Master David.

" WHAT?!"

Kayla opened her eyes and looked up at her Master, lover and mate.

"I am not leaving Elysium without your pup. I love you, more than I love myself or any of my family. I want to have a family with you. I know that is not going to happen like I wanted, but I can at least start our family. When the fighting is done and you and your allies win, I can come back here with our cub, and we will continue raising our pack."

Kayla looked up at her Master and smiled wanly.

"I want to have a lot of pups by you. And I'm going to get them!"

Master David practically crushed both Marla and Kayla in his bear hug. Marla could feel him silently weeping. Kayla's desire touched him deeply.

Eventually Master David released Marla and Kayla. He turned to Canaria Pack. Many of them had smiles on their muzzles.

"I gather that we are traveling alone tonight," Hugo asked wryly.

"So it seems," Master David replied drily.

"But I will send them on to you when the time comes. I am still going to give them to Canaria Pack and place them and my descendents in your care."

"We will protect them," Jennifer said with her own quiet determination.

Marla and the other femfurs grabbed Kayla and took her upstairs. The older wolves and even Marla were very excited about the prospects of new pups. They had a lot of practical advice for the otteress both for conceiving and caring for a newborn. Their advice on conceiving would have caused both the otteress and wolfess to blush uncontrollably before their time at the Academy. It was frank, practical advice that both younger femfurs listened to carefully.

Marla was torn. She was thrilled for her friend, but she had expected to be sharing motherhood with Kayla. The loss of Mike and the future he represented was brought back to her. The raw wounds made it hard for the young wolfess at times as they celebrated Kayla's impending pregnancy. She had to force a few smiles as she watched Kayla glowing over the prospect of a pup.

Canaria Pack left two hours before nightfall. Marla, Kayla, and Master David made their own preparations. It was hard for Marla to put on the black dress of a widow. It brought back her loss that had retreated from the forefront of her thoughts briefly that day. All three furs were somber as they took the limousine to the entrance of the catacombs.

There was an honor guard of Wolf Enterprise guards waiting at the entrance. With practiced eyes Marla saw that they were sporting heavy firepower rather than ceremonial weapons. A quick scan of the sky showed several Wolf Enterprise aerial assets circling the area. She was sure that there were more Wolf Enterprise guards nearby. She also was sure that they were not going to allow the Government or anyone else surprise them again tonight.

Canaria Pack greeted Marla and the others warmly. They mingled until the hearse bearing Mike arrived. Master David and Kayla had to hold up Marla when his linen wrapped body was taken from the hearse and placed on his funeral bier.

The eight pall bearers lifted the bier and headed into the catacombs. Marla was guided to a spot immediately behind the bier where she was joined by Michelle. Together the two most important femfurs in Mike's life followed him to his final resting place. Tears streamed down Marla's muzzle as they went deeper and deeper underneath the capital city. After some time they came to the familial tomb of Canaria Pack.

The tomb had been cleaned, but it was still stuffy after only recently being reopened and not well lit. There was enough light for her to see the open hole in the native rock that would be the tomb of her lower and mate.

Canaria Pack and the others gathered around Mike's remains. They held paws and silently mourned Mike one last time. They said a final good-bye to the young wolf. Marla gave him one last kiss, and then the pall bearers lifted his bier and slid it into the hole. With loving care Hugo and Jennifer joined by Master David and Marla sealed the opening.

When the work was done and the four furs cleaned their paws, Master David turned to Hugo and said, "You are still leaving through the back door, are you not?"

Hugo sighed.

"As tempting as it is to remain here and die, yes. You have my word of honor on it.

"We will be out of here fifteen minutes after we seal the door. Tenchi was kind enough to provide some surprises for anyfur that comes in here looking for us. It should help delay the Government some more."

Master David hugged Hugo and said, "Good luck. I hope to see you again soon. I am giving you everything I love. Take care of them."

"We will," Hugo assured Master David.

Marla and the others who were leaving said goodbye and left. Marla took the time to hug each of the members of Canaria Pack. They were her last ties to Mike, and she wanted to remember them well in the event that they did not see each other again. They assured her as well that they would soon be meeting up with her off-planet.

During the walk out of the catacombs Marla found herself beside Sensei Tenchi. He had been very silent during the entire burial. Marla reached out and took his paw. He looked at her in surprise.

"I heard that your parents were among those on the lists," Marla said.

For the first time in the entire time Marla had known him she saw her Sensei smile broadly. He looked almost childish.

"Yes! They were found and are returning to us. They will be here soon. I am looking forward to seeing them again very, very much.

"And I have, in part, you to thank for that. I am sorry that you went through hell, but there are many furs that are better off tonight because of what happened. I can only speak for myself, but I am forever in your debt. It is one that I will likely never be able to repay."

"Keep Master David safe for us," Marla said impulsively.

"I and many others will. Rest assured that all of us including my parents will die before we allow harm to come to him."

"They will be going into hiding with you?"

"Yes. I talked with them. They have much anger towards the Government, much like Canaria Pack. They want revenge, and defending David as he brings down the Elysium Government is the best revenge they can imagine."

"I wish I could go with you," Marla said in a sad voice."

Sensei Tenchi stopped and turned to Marla. He raised his right paw and cupped her left cheek.

"Sometimes the hardest thing to do is leave a fight. You and Kayla are both fierce fighters with a great personal stake in the coming battles. You are also a weakness in our organization because you can be exploited to force David to stop his fight or even betray the cause. That would result in not only our deaths, but the deaths of many thousands who depend upon him and follow him.

"You personally also have other responsibilities. You must still protect Lady Kayla and her pup."

Marla sighed.

"I had started to hope that we would be sharing motherhood together. I guess that dream ended along with the rest when Mike died," Marla said glumly.

Sensei Tenchi said nothing in reply. Marla was so caught up in her emotions that she missed the enigmatic smile on his lips. Apparently he thought that another fate awaited his student.

The media was waiting for the return of Canaria Pack. Marla suspected that Master David had conveniently arranged for their presence. He gave a short statement on behalf of Canaria Pack saying that with the death of their last member who could carry on the pack they had decided not to leave the catacombs but instead die with him. Master David lamented the passing of a Founder pack from Elysium. His news caused quite a stir. The reporters asked for more information, but Master David led Marla and Kayla to their waiting limousine. Wolf Enterprise guards kept the reporters from hounding them and also sealed the entrance to the catacombs. They were making it tough for the reporters, but Marla new the real reason was to give Canaria Pack as much time as possible to get away unseen and unhindered.

During the ride back Marla asked Master David, "Do you think that they will make it?"

"I have strong reasons to believe that that many of the greatest unsolved criminal acts against the Government over the past five decades were perpetrated by them. I have little doubt that they can get away safely.

"I will still worry about them, though."

The rest of the ride passed in silence.

When they got back to the penthouse the three furs went upstairs to the master bedroom suite. They were still reflective about the events of the day, but the burial brought closure. Marla knew that she would always regret the loss of Mike and all the potential happiness that he represented, but she found herself ready to move on with her life now.

She just had no clue where it was going to take her.

They bathed together in t eh whirlpool tub. Marla was surprised that she honestly enjoyed playing some bath games that Kayla, Marla and the rest of their coffle had invented while at the Academy. Her laughter was genuine, and she thought that the others' was as well.

Marla was surprised when Kayla went into the nursery. Other than the day after Marla arrived she had never seen Kayla in that room. The otteress returned with a small white wand. She handed it to Master David.

"We might was well start tonight. It will probably a few days before I start cycling."

Marla suddenly remembered Kayla's comment at the clinic about the nanobots that the Academy had snuck into their bodies stopping them from becoming pregnant but also being able to make them fertile.

Master David took the wand and looked deep into Kayla's eyes.

"Is this what you want? I will not force you to breed with me," he said.

"I know, and that is one of the reasons I love you.

"But yes, this is what I want, and I want to start now."

Master David took the wand. He touched the controls and entered some command code. He passed it over Kayla's naked belly several times until the wand gave a loud beep.

"That's it. You are now ready to become a mother," Master David said.

"Thank you, Master David."

Master David cocked his head and looked at Kayla.

"The mother of my children should not be calling me Master. I still hope that the legal protections afforded you by your slavery may protect you if we are taken, but the reality is I stopped being your Master some time ago.

"Please call me David, not Master."

It was a simple request, but it underscored the changes in their lives.

Marla was surprised when Master David turned to Marla and added, "I want you to call me just David as well, Marla. You are my pack mate, not my property no matter what the legal records say."

Marla blinked. She had never thought that such a thing could happen to her. She had effectively been free for some time now, but this underscored her status within her pack and with her Master.

No, not Master, Marla thought. Not any more, if he ever truly was.

"Yes, David," Marla replied. She was surprised how easy and natural it was to use just his name and not the honorific of Master. It felt natural even if it was new to her. She knew that she would have problems initially breaking her training, but she looked forward to addressing him without being required to call him Master as well.

The three furs returned to the bedroom. Master David set aside the wand on the nightstand. He and Kayla moved onto the bed. Kayla opened her arms and legs to Master David. She was emotionally ready to breed even if her body might not be ready for a day or more.

Marla hesitated. The pair did not need her tonight. Quietly she turned and left the room. She sought the shelter of her own bedroom. Unexpected tears were rolling down her cheeks. She was glad for her friend, but it still hurt that Kayla would have a pup while Marla would not. She had so wanted to have Mike's pups.

Marla curled up on her bed and tried to go to sleep. The day had certainly been tiring enough, and she was still recovering from her torture. She tried to quickly slip into sleep to leave behind today and forget the last few minutes.

Marla heard the soft sound of her doorknob turning. She rolled over onto her back and looked at the door in surprise.

Kayla stood in the doorway. She said nothing but entered and sat on the edge of Marla's bed. She reached out and rubbed Marla's naked tummy. Marla lay there watching her and waiting for her friend to speak.

"You wanted Mike's cubs," Kayla said quietly.

"Yes," Marla replied in a broken voice.

"That may yet happen," Kayla said.

Marla sat up suddenly,

"How?!"

"We are hoping that Mike made a donation to a sperm bank before he was killed. They pay well for sperm from healthy young males, and as you well know Mike certainly qualified as one of those. Wolf Enterprises is tracking down possibilities.

"Unfortunately it is unlikely that they can find it even with their resources before we have to leave. Medical records are notoriously difficult to access even for the Government. We are going to be using a lot of bribes, but we are likely going to run out of time."

"But I might one day have his pups?" Marla asked in wonder.

"Hopefully, yes."

Marla lay back on the bed. It was a possibility she had never considered.

"In the meantime, I have a question for you.

"Do you want to get pregnant now?"

Marla looked up at Kayla in shock. There was only one way she was going to get pregnant in the next few days.

"You would share him with me?"

Kayla said nothing. Instead she raised the medical wand that she had hidden behind her and ran it over Marla's belly several times. It beeped for a second time that night.

"Come to bed with us, Marla," Kayla told the wolfess.

Marla had found herself wanting cubs badly when it appeared that Mike and she would be mates. That door had slammed shut with Mike's death. Now in the past few minutes she had learned that there still might be a possible way for Mike to sire her pups. It was something that she wanted, and, if the opportunity presented itself, she would take it.

Kayla's demand that Master David give her a pup before she left had struck an unexpected echo with Marla. Master David was her alpha and now former Master, but he was more. He had been there quietly helping her at every turn. He had even helped her find and fall in love with Mike. He had let her into his pack even though the sensible thing to do would have been to send her away. He had even told her that she could have been his mate, not Kayla.

Marla loved Mike, but she also loved Master David. Mike could not give her what she wanted right now, but Master David could. She in turn was much more likely to give him an heir than Kayla. That would not only continue Master David's line, but it would continue Canaria Pack for another generation.

The thought of continuing not one but two packs filled with pack mates that she loved gave Marla a very warm feeling throughout her entire body. It would not be the same as starting a family with Mike, but it had its own special rewards. The more she thought about the possibilities, the more that the wolfess warmed to the opportunity. She could even understand Kayla's demand much more clearly now. She shared some of the same desires and drives.

Kayla stood. Marla got out of bed and joined her. The wolfess gave the otter one small nod. Marla would do this for not only herself but Master David, Kayla, and Canaria Pack. Mostly she would do it for Mike, to give him by proxy what she had desired for them together in their life together.

Paw in paw the femfurs returned to the master bedroom and their waiting male.